Steve Williams is getting a face lift...

Yes, my novels in the Steve Williams series are getting a face lift! And it's more than just newly branded covers.

The earlier books in the series have undergone some transformations as well.  I took some of the feedback into consideration and softened some of the more intense scenes. The subject matter is still disturbing - after all, we are dealing with serial killers - but some of the more unsettling scenes have been modified.  I'm sure I will still offend some readers, after all, the subject matter itself elicits very strong reactions.

If you really like the current covers, you might want to pick up the paperbacks now before the big reveal! You never know, the current covers may end up being a collectors item one day.

Stay tuned for previews and the exact release date for the series, including the boxed set.

In the meantime, for those e-book-centric individuals, Dark Reckoning - the first book in the Steve Williams Series - is free.  You can find it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Itunes, Smashwords, Sony, Kobo and a few other outlets!

Have a lovely weekend and stay tuned!

Until next time,
Ciao
JET

#SALE! Celebrating the season with a Sale!

Hi all,

Happy Holidays!  I'm putting the first book in my three most popular series (Night Hawk Series, Games Series and The Steve Williams Series) on sale for $0.99 from now until Monday, January 6th.

 Selling your soul has never been so charming and Mark throws in a little something to sweeten the pot, his girlfriend Naomi.

Sentenced to death at the hands of a demon, Naomi Hawk has a firsthand lesson in despair and betrayal in Mark’s deal for fame with all the trimmings. Deep in the clutches of the underground brotherhood, Naomi's light is coveted for the Master's gain.

When she slips and falls eighty stories from a precarious ledge, Naomi resigns herself to the inevitable impact and death by shattered bones. Before she can escape her demons in eternal slumber, something sinister plucks her from the plummet, stealing her out of the night to sacrifice her forever to the shadows.

Imprisoned in bottomless darkness, Naomi thirsts for justice… and revenge.

Amazon    Barnes and Noble   Smashwords   iTunes

 Until he snatches sexy stock jock Jessica Connor, Ty Aris happily followed his stepbrother’s orders, producing some of the most coveted black market porn and snuff films on the street. But the day he grabs her in the parking lot, his life becomes a living nightmare.

Jessica foils his plans, fires his passion, and frustrates the hell out of him. She never gives in to his demands, his pleas, or his desires, and yet a psychic bond claims his soul and melts the iron walls around his heart. His obsession sparks a fierce rift when Frank wants to start filming. Ty stalls with any and every excuse in the book, fueling Frank’s fury, but he knows it’s only a matter of time before he loses this game.

With the clock ticking, he scrambles for escape options.

Options that won’t land him in jail... or worse... a captive in Frank’s sadistic prison.

Amazon    Barnes and Noble   Smashwords   iTunes

A sadistic killer stalks the secluded college town of Brooksfield, New Hampshire. With bodies piling up and rumors of the murders being part of sacrificial hazing rituals, the FBI plants Special Agent Steve Williams in a fraternity at Brooksfield University. His investigation takes a ninety degree turn into the bizarre when he’s introduced to Jennifer, a clairvoyant co-ed who swears the killer isn’t human.

Steve considers the plausibility of the extraordinary, the unspeakable, even the inconceivable, when his notebook starts bleeding cryptic messages. Messages that indicate Jennifer is at the heart of the darkness in Brooksfield.

When she describes her latest vision, a trail of violent deaths, including his, Steve asks the million-dollar question:

Is Jennifer trying to help... or is she actually the one responsible?

Amazon    Barnes and Noble   Smashwords   iTunes

I hope you have a wonderful and safe holiday season!

Until next time,
Ciao
JET

Georgia Reign Blog Blitz

Hi folks! Welcome to another fabulous Friday.  We've got power and heat and internet - so I'm a happy camper. 

I'm also very pleased to introduce my main character from Georgia Reign.  Special Agent Steve Williams is here today to talk about his latest case and the challenges he now faces. 

JET: Thank you for talking with us today Agent Williams...

SW: -Please call me Steve.

JET:  Thank you for joining us today Steve.  Can you tell us a little about your current case?

SW: Yes and perhaps someone in the listening audience will have some information that will help us track down this unsub.  He's a tricky bastard, luring kids away from their parents with a dog of all things.  I can't imagine anything more heinous than what he is doing to those children.   The more I dwell on it the angrier I get and whether I like to admit it or not, that sometimes clouds my perception - and in the past it's driven me to do things I'm not particularly proud of to solve a case.

JET:  I gather you're talking about the Kyle Winslow case.

SW:  Yes.

JET:  Can you elaborate a little on some of those situations?

SW: Early on in my career, I was an undercover operative in several key cases.  The most notable was a joint FBI/DEA case to bring down New York's most prominent cocaine lord. There were several situations where I had to compromise my integrity in order to keep the undercover ruse from unraveling and in the end, that case blew my undercover career. 

I also made some questionable decisions in the aftermath of the attack on my family but I was hell bent on catching Kyle Winslow.  


JET:  Have you had any close calls?

SW:  *laughs* You could say that. 

JET:  Can you expand a bit?

SW:  Let's just say I've seen the light a time or two, but never crossed over. 

JET:  I understand you're a pretty good shot.  What's your favorite firearm?

SW: Well, I'm pretty versed with the Glock 22 - which is standard issue in the Bureau but I have to say, the slickest gun, besides the Tommy-gun Charlie Wisnowski owned, was the one he gave me for Christmas.  It's now locked up with state's evidence and I'm not that high on getting it back considering Charlie killed a fellow officer with it.  But I have to admit it was sweet.  A Smith & Wesson 45 with a gold eagle inlay.  Very slick. *sigh*

JET:  So how do you see this latest case playing out?

SW:  I catch the bastard before he kills another kid. 

JET:  And after that?

SW:  Who knows.  Maybe I'll retire but more likely I'll just keep trying to stop the monsters.

JET:  Thanks for joining us today!  Folks you can find out more about Special Agent Steve Williams at the following places:

Dark Reckoning ,  Vengeance ,  Hunting Season , Georgia Reign 
 
Thanks for swinging in and if you have any questions for Agent Williams, he'll be on tap all day.

Sale Special - for Dark Reckoning is free HERE until the end of the year!

Next week, I've got Danielle Kazemi, John Blackmore and N.R. Wick on tap.

Until then,
Ciao
JET

Part 2: DARK RECKONING meets BANISHED WITCH

Part 2: DARK RECKONING meets BANISHED WITCH (for Part 1 please jump over to http://anitaphilmar.blogspot.com/)




Danni closed the door to her room and turned. The muscular man lying across her bed had a body that would bring any woman pleasure. But that wasn’t the only reason behind the magic she’d used to entice him to her room.

The man had secrets. Some of which might help Danni.

She hoped to discover a few which might help her protect her family. Crystal blue eyes swept repeatedly my long dark lashes, tracked her path to the bed. A large hand cupped her waist when she drew to a stop beside him.

“Did you tell me your name?” Steve appeared confused. Thanks to the special herbs she’d slipped into his drink.

“Oh, yes, you know my name.” She ran her hand down the center of his white cotton shirt and stopped on the button of his pant. A very nice budge lay under the material and Danni couldn’t stop herself from caressing the length.

“Wait a second.” Steve grabbed her hand and lifted it away from his body. The bed squeaked and he sat up.

A concern frown marred his face, and the man fidgeted like he was uncomfortable with her touch.

Black and white, she could tell the man didn’t see the gray areas in the world around him.

Danni couldn’t hold back the grin and stepped between his legs to lay one hand on his shoulder. She stared into eyes that reminded her of her childhood boyfriend, Omar. He had acted nervous too every time she’d gotten close. He’d always insisted that they had to wait until they were married.

Well, that certainly hadn’t worked out.

“I’m not going to hurt you. Matter of fact, I think we’ll both enjoy this encounter.” She edged closer and rubbed her breasts against his chest.

He sucked in a sharp breath and released her hand.

She took advantage of his mistake and slipped her arms around his neck. Need tingled down the center of her body. “The hunger to enjoy a woman is pulling you apart. You need a release from your passions.”

His alluring sense beckoned her and she melted against him. Her head falling forward, she ran kisses along his neck. “I can feel the dark water running through your veins. You are on a path to discover the truth, but…”

He stiffened and clasped his hands around her waist. “What are you talking about?”

“Well, I’m a witch. I see lots of things about person when I get near them.” Danni marveled at the shock, clouding his face.

Steve pushed her away and stood. “I don’t know what you’ve done to me, but I’m out of here.” He strolled to the door.

Danni could not hold back the warning that sprang to her lips. The man need to know that the future wasn’t secure. “Blood will flow from paper and your honor will be tested. Watch your step and trust your heart.”

The door swung open and the man disappeared.

“Oh, but it’s fun to see a man squirm.” She sat on the bed and envisioned the fun she’d have with Omar when he finally found her. That is if he found her.



Steve raced down the stairs and out of the tavern. Never had he encountered such a strange place.

After settling into the seat of his car, he slammed it into gear and pulled out onto the dirt road.

“Boy, will I be glad to see the last of this place,” He muttered and glanced in his rearview mirror.

His reflection showed his shock. Eyes wide, mouth dropped open. He stared at the empty field behind him.

Chills ran down his spine and he punched his foot down on the gas petal.

“Time to find Brookfield and forget I ever made this stop.”

* * * *

I’d like to thank Anita Philmar for taking time out of her busy schedule to entertain you folks with her version of Steve meets Danni. It has been an absolute pleasure! Check out BANISHED WITCH:

A princess of Ardenia, Danella accepts her role as witch in the human world so she can protect her family and track down the traitor to the crown. But when Omar Mandel, her childhood sweetheart and the reason behind her leaving her homeland enters the tavern where she works, she decides to seek her revenge and live out a few unfulfilled fantasies.

The queen wants her daughter to come home and Omar’s job is to see that it happens. However, Danella isn’t the same sweet girl, he remembers. In her place is a sexy woman, who excites his lust and claims his heart. He must teach her to trust in his love and face the sins of the past so they can have a future together.

But the traitor has other deadly ideas. . .

You can purchase BANISHED WITCH at the following location:

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/wilderroses/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=34&zenid=d1596085aa14b0d25ce4cf3a8f0cfad4

Thanks again for joining us today!

Ciao.

JET

Happy July!

As you know - it’s the first Friday of the month and before I get into my blog, I want to give a shout out to those of us at Backspace that have releases this month along with a special shout out. So without further adieu . . . here’s to the following July releases: Jon Clinch -KINGS OF THE EARTH, and Lauren Baratz-Logsted - THE EDUCATION OF BET.

Don’t forget my two releases this month: DARK RECKONING and SURVIVAL GAMES!

Now for that special shout out to those who like a good horror story, check out John Everson’s SIREN released at the end of this month. He’ll be on this blog on Friday the 13th of August talking about both SIREN and The 13th which was released earlier this year. Stay tuned . . .

Now back to our regularly scheduled program . . .

Summer is upon us and we’re getting ready to celebrate the anniversary of our country’s freedom. The 4th of July is always such fun, especially in New England. I love this time of year because my birthday follows the 4th of July and sometimes there are fireworks on MY birthday too. And I’m not necessarily talking about those that sparkle in the air. :-)

TMI? Oops, sorry but after 21 years of marriage, it’s nice to know the fireworks are still burning bright!

But I digress. This year, I seemed to have lucked out on my birthday gift. My birthday coincides with the release of my debut novel. Dark Reckoning, my mainstream paranormal suspense about FBI special agent Steve Williams, a clairvoyant college co-ed named Jennifer, and a killer that she swears isn’t human, is coming out on July 5, 2010. And then two weeks later I’ve got my erotic thriller SURVIVAL GAMES knocking on the release door.

I’ve been invited to blog or be interviewed on a whole host of blogs and there are give-aways on a few of these stops:

July 5th on Randy Susan Meyers blog: http://www.randysusanmeyers.com/blog/

July 7th I’ll be over with CJ Gabriel - www.cjgabrielbook.blogspot.com

July 8th is something special - Anita Philmar and I did a “what if” scenario introducing my main character Steve Williams to her main character Danni in a story that starts on her blog http://anitaphilmar.blogspot.com and ends here on mine. It’s a fun intro to both our characters, so show some love and check it out!

July 12th I’ve got my normal guest spot over on eXcessica’s blog: http://www.excessica.com/blog

July 14th: Cate Masters blog and giving away a signed copy of Survival Games to one of the lucky folks that posts there.

July 14th : I’m also over at www.roxannesreal.blogspot.com / www.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot and again will have another Survival Games giveaway.

July 16th - I’ll have my normal Friday blog here.

July 21st I’m at two separate places as well: Lisabet Sarai - http:lisabetsarai.blogspot.com and then over at

CJ Gabriale books again. I’ll have book giveaways of Survival Games for each of these as well.

You can see all these stops on my calendar page on my website along with the guests on my blog for the next couple months! Check it out - www.JETaylor75.com

As you can see, July is a tremendously busy month with all this, I also have a vacation nudged in the middle of the chaos. I have a feeling this summer is going to go by in a blink and I’ll be stunned when September rolls around again and the kids have to go back to school. I certainly hope you’ll follow the zigzag pattern of my blog tour and say hi at the different places. Who knows, I may have an extra special treat for someone now that DARK RECKONING is also being released in paperback.

Hope to see you all there!

Ciao!

JET

Cover Art, Memorial Services and Opening Day. . .

I've been thinking about what to write in my blog today and reflecting on the memorial service I went to last night and the little league opening ceremonies I attending this morning I figured I'd just ramble a bit about life.  But before I do, I've got to hand it to my favorite cover artist.  The rendering of the cover for Dark Reckoning is fabulous!  If I could give you a big hug, I would!  I may just have to hop on a plane to Australia just for that!

Now onto my reflections and ramblings.  

Last night I was lucky enough to celebrate the life of a business colleague.  In listening to the heartfelt stories from his family it got me thinking.  It wasn't the enterprise he built that made the differences in their lives, it was the personal connections, the relationships built that mattered in the end.  

So the importance of relationships is at the forefront of my mind this morning and how much I appreciate those that have given me their trust and respect.  Those that listen to me whine when I'm stressed, and those that celebrate with me when good news is announced.   I have a whole slew of folks that have helped me get where I am in both my day job and the writing side of life that I so very much appreciate and wish to let them know they ROCK!

The relationship I have with my children is pretty good.  Which is a blessing, they talk to me and I like to think I've inspired them to reach for their dreams. 

On the subject of my kids, today was opening day for little league in the town I live in.  So . . . PLAY BALL!

JET

     

Dark Reckoning accepted by FIDO Publishing!

   
J. E. Taylor, suspense writer and Allegory E-zine assistant editor is delighted to announce the acceptance of her debut novel by FIDO Publishing. Dark Reckoning, scheduled for release on July 5, 2010, is the first in a planned series featuring undercover FBI Agent Steve Williams.


DARK RECKONING: released by FIDO Publishing (www.FIDOpublishing.com) on July 5, 2010:

A sadistic killer stalks the secluded college town of Brooksfield, New Hampshire. With bodies piling up and rumors of the murders being part of sacrificial hazing rituals, the FBI plants Special Agent Steve Williams in a fraternity at Brooksfield University. His investigation takes a ninety degree turn into the bizarre when he’s introduced to Jennifer, a clairvoyant co-ed who swears the killer isn’t human.
       
Steve considers the plausibility of the extraordinary, the unspeakable, even the inconceivable when his notebook starts bleeding cryptic messages. Messages that indicate Jennifer is at the heart of the darkness in Brooksfield.
        
When she describes her latest vision, a trail of violent deaths, including his, Steve asks the million-dollar question: Is Jennifer trying to help . . . or is she actually the one responsible?

      
J.E. Taylor’s short stories have appeared in Niteblade and Allegory and she has credits in three upcoming 2011 and 2012 eXcessica anthologies.
         
Her first erotic suspense novel Survival Games received a 4--star review from Manic Readers, an edgy, erotic, hang by the edge of your seat thriller that will be released on July 19, 2010 by eXcessica.(www.excessica.com) Mind Games and End Game, the final two in the Games trilogy are due to be released by eXcessica on November 29, 2010 and February 14, 2011 respectively.
            
Ms. Taylor lives in Connecticut with her husband and two children.
       
Visit her at www.JETaylor75.com.

Patience, a virtue I lack . . .

I'm not very good at playing the waiting game. As a matter of fact I hate it in any aspect of my life. I'm thinking that comes from the utter control freak that resides at my core. I've learned to loosen up in a lot of aspects over the years, but impatience is not one that little pain in the ass will let go of.

There are a whole host of things I'm waiting for right now and they all have me on edge.

First, word from a publisher on my non-erotic thriller, Dark Reckoning. I'm trying to be patient - but it's like asking a child who's been waiting for the ice cream truck all day to wait at the back of the line because their mother hasn't made her way to the curb with the money yet. Especially since I’ve worked out the cover with my favorite cover artist from down under, Willsin Rowe.

I’m waiting for a couple more author blurbs for Survival Games as well as the reviews to start rolling in - although I know on the review front that these can take up to 90 days - which is why I sent them out at the beginning of the month. All of which have me really nervous. The one blurb I did receive blew me away but I’m sure I’ll get mixed reviews from the masses because of the very dark subject matter. So I wait, with my nails bit down to the stub.

I'm also waiting to find out what's next on the day job. What project are we going to tackle next? I don't like ambivalent periods and yes we're supporting a system we just implemented - which is an important task, but I'm getting anxious to start on the next creative challenge.

The last thing I’m waiting for is May 1 and the nice spring / summer weather - which don’t necessarily coincide. As I said last week - with the spring teaser, this has become a more pronounced want that I have to wait for. And with the return of the cold weather (we actually had snow flurries this morning) it just makes this that much worse.

Not one of these items is within my control and as I said before, the control freak in me is wigging out. More so this year than in the past - although spring is traditionally a restless time for me. Right now I’m feeling like a caged lion, pacing in my confines just waiting for the next chance at a great escape - or a tasty meal.

I just need to get through these last few days of March and then I’ll be knee deep in the Backspace April Marathon - which will take my mind off some of the idle restlessness. I’ve got at least 30k to add to the sequels to Dark Reckoning along with some refining editing before I can get them ready for submission and I have a few unfinished manuscripts that need attention.

I do have a few things to organize and iron out - like reaching out to bloggers to set up a blog tour for Survival Games - but unfortunately that won’t keep my restlessness at bay.

So folks . . . What do you do to keep your mind occupied when you’re impatiently waiting for something? Any words of advice, antic dotes, commiserations?

Also - anyone who has a book release in April, please shoot me a message so I can include you in my monthly shout outs!

Have a great weekend!
Ciao.

A discussion about titles. . .

Happy Friday everyone.

I’ve been looking at my next pile of books to polish up and get into the land of the published. This is my FBI thriller series that starts off with a book currently called Mirror Lake. In comparison with the other titles in the series, this is pretty docile and a little boring. So I’ve been tossing around alternative titles and have honed in on one, the only problem is, I can’t seem to let go of Mirror Lake.

You see, I started Mirror Lake back when I was a freshman in college. I never finished it back then but it’s been sitting in a drawer and festering in my mind, percolating for twenty some years. During my writing jag of 2007 and 2008, this was one of the books I revamped and finished after I pounded out the Games series.

So calling it anything else is a struggle.

But title is just as important as a captivating cover, so this is one thing I have to divorce myself from. It will always be Mirror Lake to me BUT when it comes time to publish this sucker, it’s going to get a facelift. Mirror Lake is becoming Dark Reckoning.

It fits better with the titles I have in the series:
1. Dark Reckoning (formerly Mirror Lake)
2. White Fury
3. Vengeance
4. Hunting Season
5. Georgia Reign
6. Saving Face

Seeing the list with Mirror Lake was the eye opener and that’s what prompted the re-evaluation of the title. Seeing it with the new title has more of a punch, which is the whole purpose of a title. Now all I have to do is finish polishing these up and get them on the publishing train. :)

I only have two other titles beyond this, Crystal Illusions which my MC from the above series has a cameo and my science fiction story - Dome Warriors. Not bad on the title front - but once I go through and polish them; the titles may again be reviewed and tested against the story line to make sure they carry the right weight. After all the right title and the right zippy slogan to match is what marketing is all about!